2017 will be about "Internet 3.0"

By: Mark Bartolomeo

As 2016 comes to an end, we asked some of Verizon's product leaders to share their insights about the most disruptive tech trends that lie ahead. As part of our Tech Trends 2017 series, Mark Bartolomeo, VP of IoT and Connected Solutions, shares his predictions about how data security, IoT and AI will take big leaps in 2017.

1. Data privacy and security will be one of the biggest challenges addressed by corporations, regulators and consumers in 2017.

When we download a new application or service, most of us casually agree to the terms provided. We may not fully understand all of the permissions we agree to. As companies look to create more value for their customers and use consumer-generated information, we're going to see increased demand for explicit permission, clear explanations regarding how data will be used and informed consent. Consumers want clear explanations of what they're agreeing to, and the industry ecosystem is working to achieve this.

Verizon has maintained a strong position in areas of privacy and compliance with CPNI, but consumers work with a broad ecosystem of service providers to acquire the preferred services on their mobile devices. There is great value for the consumer to make data and information more relevant, and in many ways, sharing data can make people’s lives more convenient.

2. Data analytics will make IoT accessible to small & mid-size business

Today, IoT adoption is being led by large corporations with world-class CTO organizations. With new IoT solutions provided as a service and integrated with data analytics, small business owners are able to quickly identify trends and opportunities to improve service delivery and their customer experience.

One great example is the work being done to improve crops yields and the safety of our food supply. In the past, farmers have not had simple access to decisional information about environmental conditions. The grower of crops can easily be overwhelmed by the volume of data concerning moisture, soil temperature, historic weather patterns, weather forecast, disease control and ambient temperature.

Farmers have recently started deploying IoT sensors that measure these variables correlate data elements and advise on the potential impact to their crops. They are adopting data analytics to give them consistent information for planning including yield management, production of more uniform crops and earlier insights for their remediation efforts to combat disease. This use of technology was previously only available to large corporations, but packaged data analytics will put it in reach for everyone.

In the next year, we'll see an acceleration of mobility as a service. Community leaders are deploying new traffic patterns, bicycle share programs, improved public transportation and new programs for autonomous vehicles to reduce congestion, improve safety, sustainability and economic growth.

What will emerge is an “internet of transportation” delivering mobility as a service that is highly integrated, sustainable, autonomous and location efficient.

Consider your daily commute. Many of us require multiple modes of transportation to travel from our homes to work: start the day with your personal or shared vehicle to a train station, then hail a taxi or use shared bicycle services, and then take the subway or light rail services to your final destination. With the growth and sophistication of personal AI digital assistants we're going to see the converged use of all of our information to deliver intuitive, self-integrating and self-learning services that provide multi-modal mobility services that are reliable and simple to use.

After a few weeks of learning your preferences, your AI digital assistant will be able to: tell you what time to set your alarm based on tomorrow’s schedule, recommend the best modes of transportation for every part of your commute, tell you what time you'll arrive at the office, and know about your preferences and personal contacts. If it's someone's birthday, your AI digital assistant may recommend a stop along the way to purchase a gift. It might order meals and other services to be delivered at the time you arrive home at night or automatically notify family members of schedule changes.

AI will create more value for us by anticipating our needs, integrating with our lives, avoiding problems and keeping us safe—all while being simple to use, secure and reliable.

All three of the trends above will work together to connect our physical and digital worlds and provide simple-to-use services that are integrated with our lives and adaptable to our environment.

Leading these disruptive trends in 2017 requires the best talent.

Our technology team is looking for people who push the boundaries in core areas, such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Network Engineering.

Mark Bartolomeo leads Internet of Things for Verizon‘s New Product Development. Bartolomeo has responsibility for Verizon’s IoT product strategy and the delivery of solutions that drive sustainability, safety and economic development.